Former South Bendigo ruckman Kieran Strachan made his AFL debut for the Adelaide Crows in Saturday's loss to North Melbourne on the Gold Coast.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 24-year-old was given a late call-up to replace former skipper Taylor Walker, who missed the match because of illness.
Strachan started on the interchange bench before replacing Riley O'Brien in the ruck midway through the first term.
Up against arguably the most in-form ruckman in the competition in Todd Goldstein, Strachan won his first hit-out and then laid a strong tackle when the ball hit the deck.
Strachan spent some time inside forward 50 as well, but it was a tough day to be a Crows forward as the Roos cruised to a 19.5 (119) to 7.8 (50) victory.
In his debut performance Strachan finished with four possessions, four tackles and 10 hit-outs.
Strachan's elevation to the AFL should be an inspiration to all footballers who are late bloomers or who didn't get the chance to play NAB League football.
Strachan made his mark in senior footy with South Bendigo in 2015 when he won the club's best and fairest and the following season he made the Bendigo Advertiser BFNL Team of the Year as a raw 20-year-old ruckman.
Read more: Strachan loving life in Adelaide
His form caught the eye of Essendon's VFL team and he earned a spot on the Bombers' VFL list for the 2017 season.
He started the 2018 season in the BFNL with the Bloods before playing in the VFL with Essendon and then Port Melbourne, who offered him greater opportunities.
A broken ankle cut short his 2018 season, but the Adelaide Crows had seen enough and they selected Strachan with pick seven of the 2018 rookie draft.
Strachan spent most of 2019 playing as a key forward for the Crows' SANFL team. He impressed enough to earn another contract with the club.
Walker's unfortunate battle with gastro gave Strachan a well-deserved opportunity on the big stage.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.